Richards Bay Airport had reopened to Airlink flights only in mid-September of 2022 after not operating passenger flights for more than 20 months, despite being given the green light to operate when South Africa exited its hard lockdown and domestic travel resumed.
It was only in December 2023, Airlink, which operated flights between Richards Bay and more than 45 destinations within South Africa, upgraded to a larger aircraft, transitioning from the 29-seater British Aerospace Jetstream 41 to the 75-seater Embraer ERJ 170, seeing the travel demand.
But now, within months of upgradation, flights between Richards Bay and Johannesburg have been suspended until further notice.
The decision was confirmed by Airlink, the privately-owned airline, saying the decision follows the downgrading of Richards Bay Airport.
Civil Aviation Regulator, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) downgraded the airport’s fire and rescue service capability, disqualifying it from accommodating commercial airline operations.
Airlink MD and CEO Rodger Foster said ,
“The safety and well-being of our customers, crews and equipment is paramount for Airlink and we scrupulously follow the SACAA’s safety regulations.
“However, Richards Bay is an economically important route and we intend to resume services on the route as soon as the SACAA lifts the restriction on the airport.”
The airline said holders of tickets for flights between Johannesburg and Richards Bay should contact Airlink’s Customer Service office on 011 4517550, or their travel agent, to be rebooked for travel at a later date, or to another destination (e.g. Durban), or to request a refund.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the operator of the Airport, had partnered with the Umhlathuze Municipality through a multi-year contract to manage the Richards Bay Airport after it remained closed for close to two years.
As per ACSA, in October 2023, 2800 passengers were processed through the airport, which indicates a 230% increase since the airport reopened its doors for business.
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